Six 25-litre drums were found dumped in Bridle Brook Lane, Hawkes End, at about 8pm by a man feeding his horse in a nearby field. He contacted the fire service.

The containers, found to hold flammable liquid, were guarded by a fire crew from Canley for three hours to avoid danger, while two specialist hazardous material officers arranged for the drums to be disposed of safely.

Leading firefighter Graham Webster said the drums were believed to contain industrial waste and said it was fortunate children had not found them first.